Getting around Rio de Janeiro

Metro

Rio’s metro opened in 1979 and now has about 58 km and 41 stations, according to Wikipedia. The operator MetrôRio runs three lines: 1, 2 and 4. For visitors, the metro links the South Zone beaches with downtown and reaches Barra da Tijuca on Line 4, at Jardim Oceânico. Fares and payment methods are on the “Meios e tarifas” page of the official website.

Useful stations: Cardeal Arcoverde, Siqueira Campos and Cantagalo (Copacabana), General Osório and Nossa Senhora da Paz (Ipanema), Antero de Quental (Leblon), Cinelândia and Carioca (downtown), Maracanã (stadium).

VLT Carioca

The light rail runs downtown and in the port area. According to the operator, there are four lines: Santos Dumont–Terminal Gentileza (Line 1), Praça XV–Praia Formosa (Line 2), Santos Dumont–Central (Line 3) and Praça XV–Terminal Gentileza (Line 4). It is handy for the Museum of Tomorrow, Praça Mauá and the Olympic Boulevard.

BRT

Bus rapid transit lines serve mainly the West and North Zones. The TransCarioca line links Barra da Tijuca with Galeão airport, according to Wikipedia.

Taxis and apps

Practical at night, with luggage and for places without metro access, such as the Dona Marta viewpoint, the Tijuca Forest and the West Zone beaches.

Bikes

There is a bike lane along the beachfront from Copacabana to Leblon and around the Lagoon, with bike-share stations in many places.

See also safety in Rio.